The Fall–1
Sebastian’s POV
“Alpha, would you like me to bring you something from the cafeteria?” Rayne asked, but I just continued facing the floor–to–ceiling window, my mind nowhere near the office. The view outside was impressive, with distant mountains gleaming in the sunset. All of it my territory, one of the reasons I’d chosen this office. Today, though, the scenery seemed dull, the usual satisfaction it brought me completely gone.
“Not necessary,” I replied shortly, not turning around.
He hesitated before quietly closing the door behind him. I sighed in frustration. For some reason, an ominous feeling had been following me like a shadow, coming in waves, stronger today than in previous days.
Danger. My wolf growled deep inside, but even he couldn’t pinpoint where the threat was coming from. As an Alpha, I was used to being in control of everything, and this nameless fear made me feel powerless in a way I’d never experienced before.
I tried to focus my thoughts on Thea. On the distrust and doubt in her eyes two days ago when I confessed my feelings. I completely understood why she couldn’t believe me. For seven years, I’d played the role of the cold, heartless husband, repeatedly emphasizing that she was just Aurora’s replacement. I’d done everything possible to make her
understand she was worthless in my eyes.
How could I expect her to believe I suddenly loved her? If our roles were reversed, I’d have
scoffed too.
Seven years of pain isn’t something you can overcome in a day or a week. Hell, it might take years to heal the wounds I’d caused, and those scars would probably always be there.
I wanted her. I wanted her in my life. I wanted to build a life with her. I craved that more
than anything, but if she wouldn’t have me, so be it. I had only myself to blame. This
would be my penance for the years of hurt I’d caused.
My wolf stirred again, huffing and puffing. I roughly loosened my tie, trying to give myself some breathing room. I couldn’t sit still, the feeling of unease growing stronger. I’d never had this kind of inescapable feeling before, like something bad was about to
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The Fall–1
happen. I tried to reassure myself, but it didn’t work.
I turned on the TV, hoping the outside voices would dispel the gloom in my head. Listening to other people’s voices was better than being tormented by my wolf’s uneasy
warnings, anyway.
Just as I was pacing my office for the tenth time, the door suddenly flew open. Damien stood there, his eyes blood–red, breathing fast, his expression showing deep concern and pain. My blood instantly froze. Shit. My brother was usually well–put–together, not easily rattled. As twins, we shared that trait. If he looked any different, something serious had to
be wrong.
“What is it?” I asked, my heart racing.
Was it our parents? Or Leo?
“Sebastian…” he started but didn’t finish. His voice was laced with pain.
“Fuck, Damien, tell me what’s going on. Is it Mom or Dad?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed, his gaze finally focusing on me.
“It’s Thea,” he said, the name coming out with difficulty.
Just as I was about to ask for more, an unfamiliar voice mentioned her name. I began
turning toward the TV.
“Sebastian, don’t look, look at me.” Damien pleaded, but I ignored him.
All my attention was on the “Breaking News” banner flashing on the television.
“We’ve just learned that Ms. Thea Sterling, founder of the Dawnhaven Foundation and
second daughter of the Sterling family, has been shot in downtown by unidentified individuals. Her condition is unclear at this time, but according to witnesses, this appears
to be a targeted attack. The following footage may be disturbing…”
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The Fall–2
My legs almost couldn’t support my weight, but nothing could have prepared me for watching the woman I loved being shot multiple times.
The video showed Thea walking out of an ice cream shop, head down, seemingly deep in thought. A black SUV suddenly accelerated toward her, windows rolling down to reveal gun barrels. Then came several gunshots, and Thea fell to the ground, blood rapidly spreading around her. Her pregnant belly was clearly visible in the footage.
My wolf let out a painful howl, anger and agony intertwining, nearly breaking me. My breathing became rapid, feeling something burning inside me with nowhere to go. The
video ended, and the host reappeared on screen talking about damage to the store and
how two others were injured, but none of that mattered to me. I only cared about Thea. I
couldn’t erase the image of her body lying motionless in her own blood from my mind.
“Sebastian?” Damien’s voice came from far away, but I could barely hear it.
There was no reaction in my brain. I felt so completely broken, so lost. What would I do if something happened to her?
“Sebastian!”
Damien’s hand on my shoulder pulled me back to reality. I whipped around. My vision was
a sea of red.
“I need to see her. Now. Right now.” My voice was low, waves of emotion nearly
suffocating–me.
I didn’t wait for him to finish, rushing out of the office door and sprinting down the corridor toward the private elevator. Pack members looked at me in shock, feeling the fluctuation of Alpha energy radiating from me, instinctively backing away. But I didn’t care; there was only one thought in my mind: Thea.
I frantically pressed the elevator button, only to find the indicator lights slowly illuminating floor by floor. “Damn it!” I roared, my eyes flashing gold, fangs and claws beginning to emerge, muscles bulging beneath my suit. I couldn’t wait, absolutely could
not wait.
I turned toward the floor–to–ceiling window not far away and charged with all my might.
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The Fall–2
The glass was as fragile as paper before my half–shifted body, and with an ear–splitting crash, I leaped from the fifth floor of the building, landing precisely on a decorative platform jutting out from the exterior wall, then jumping again, landing steadily on the ground floor.
Passersby screamed and scattered, but I had no time for them. My senses were completely focused on finding the fastest path, and after a few jumps, I burst into the underground parking garage, the half–beast features on my skin gradually receding, but my heartbeat still thundering.
I rushed to my parking spot. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking, and the keys slipped from my fingers.
“Fuck!” I roared, kicking the tire, the uncontrolled force making the entire car shake.
Just as I was preparing to completely shift and go, Damien caught up with me.
“You can’t go running around like this,” he restrained me, holding out his hand, “give me
the car keys, I’ll take you to the hospital.”
I knew he was right. Both my wolf and I were emotionally charged now, and letting it take over would be easy to lose control and go on a rampage. Going out alone in this state
would be too dangerous for others.
Damien started the car and drove out of the underground parking lot as I sat with clenched fists, breathing heavily, my mind roaring with all sorts of thoughts. My wolf repeatedly growled one idea: If Thea dies, no one will leave alive.
But deeper down was a fear and regret I’d never known before. I might lose the only woman I’d truly loved, and she didn’t even know how much I loved her.
